Understanding Paris Neighborhoods: What You Need to Know
Is Paris Safe in 2025? Yes, if you know the rules. This article was created by local Paris guide Vadim Hedonist — to help you stay safe and enjoy your trip to Paris.
Paris is divided into 20 districts (arrondissements) – administrative areas of the city. They are arranged in a spiral, starting from the center (1st district) and expanding outward to the 20th district.
Central districts: 1-7
Mid-range districts: 8-12
Outer districts: 13-20
💡 Tip: Staying in the center is great for experiencing the true Parisian atmosphere, but there are also budget-friendly and safe options further out. Paris is not that big—you can even walk across it! The public transport system is well-developed, so you can easily reach any attraction. But the most important thing is to choose a safe neighborhood.
Paris Safety Map: Check the Safety of Your Stay
I’ve created a practical and easy-to-use interactive map to help you check if your hotel is in a safe area.
Simply enter the full address of your hotel and click “Find district” to see the district number and its safety level.
The map shows safety levels:
🟢 Green – Safe areas
🟡 Yellow – Moderate areas
🔴 Red – Areas that require caution
This tool will help you make a smart choice before booking your stay.
Safest Neighborhoods in Paris for Tourists
(1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 16th, 17th)
These beautiful historical areas are ideal for travelers. You’ll feel comfortable walking home at night.
1st Arrondissement – For Classic Tourists
Prestigious and super central. Close to the Louvre and Tuileries Garden. Expensive hotels. Busy and sometimes noisy at night. Pickpockets active during the day.
2nd Arrondissement – Hip & Quiet
Trendy and authentic. Good location, quieter than the 1st. No nightclubs = peaceful sleep. Prices slightly lower.
4th Arrondissement – Historic & Lively
Home to Notre-Dame and the beloved Marais. Artistic, LGBTQ-friendly, and full of charm. Expensive but popular. Watch out for pickpockets near Notre-Dame.
5th Arrondissement – Latin Quarter Vibes
Historic and youthful. Close to the Sorbonne and Panthéon. Moderate to high prices. Some areas are quiet, others lively at night.
6th Arrondissement – Parisian Elegance
One of the most beautiful districts. Near Luxembourg Gardens and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Mid-to-high range hotels. Mixed nightlife.
7th Arrondissement – Eiffel Tower Area
Prestigious, political, and calm. Close to major sights like Eiffel Tower and Musée d’Orsay. Safe and quiet, except near the Tower where it gets busy.
16th Arrondissement – The Quiet Bourgeois District
Safe, peaceful, and upscale. Perfect for calm nights. Near Trocadéro (beware of pickpockets here). Where many locals — including me — actually live.
17th Arrondissement – Calm Meets Cool
Residential but trendy. Further from tourist spots, but relaxed. Known for Parc Monceau. Mid-range pricing.
Moderately Safe Neighborhoods
(3rd, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th)
These districts are fairly safe but may feel less comfortable late at night.
3rd Arrondissement – Artistic & Mixed
Continues the Marais. Full of charm and culture. Great museums. Safe, but avoid the 10th border. Bastille protests happen here.
8th Arrondissement – Luxury & Crowds
Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe. Very central but touristy and noisy. Watch for pickpockets and protests. Avoid areas near Gare Saint-Lazare.
9th Arrondissement – Shopping Central
Close to Opéra and Galeries Lafayette. Mixed architecture, busy. Avoid the station areas.
11th Arrondissement – Young & Lively
Most populated district. Known for bars and clubs around Oberkampf. Not very central. Great for nightlife lovers.
12th Arrondissement – Residential Fringe
Mix of modern and old Paris. Near Bois de Vincennes and Gare de Lyon. Moderate prices. Mixed vibes.
13th Arrondissement – Chill & Diverse
Includes Chinatown, universities, and charming Butte-aux-Cailles. Safe but not very touristy. Avoid the Gare d’Austerlitz area.
14th Arrondissement – Local Feel
Southern Paris with lots of cafés. Near Montparnasse and the Catacombs. Moderate pricing. Not super central.
15th Arrondissement – Calm & Residential
Modern and quiet. Lacks the “Parisian charm,” but very safe. Popular with families. Close to Montparnasse.
Least Safe Neighborhoods in Paris
(10th, 18th, 19th, 20th)
Safe near tourist spots during the day — but not ideal for staying overnight.
3rd Arrondissement – Artistic & Mixed
Continues the Marais. Full of charm and culture. Great museums. Safe, but avoid the 10th border. Bastille protests happen here.
8th Arrondissement – Luxury & Crowds
Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe. Very central but touristy and noisy. Watch for pickpockets and protests. Avoid areas near Gare Saint-Lazare.
9th Arrondissement – Shopping Central
Close to Opéra and Galeries Lafayette. Mixed architecture, busy. Avoid the station areas.
15th Arrondissement – Calm & Residential
Modern and quiet. Lacks the “Parisian charm,” but very safe. Popular with families. Close to Montparnasse.
Suburbs of Paris: Where to Stay and What to Avoid
Safe Suburbs
Neuilly-sur-Seine, Boulogne-Billancourt, Levallois-Perret
✔️ Low crime, great infrastructure, well connected
❌ Expensive, less lively
La Défense
✔️ Very safe, clean, and efficient — especially during the day
❌ Can feel cold, empty, and lifeless at night — not ideal for tourists seeking Parisian charm
Moderately Safe Suburbs
Versailles, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Issy-les-Moulineaux
✔️ Historic charm, good train access
❌ Watch for pickpockets at stations
Unsafe Suburbs
Clichy-sous-Bois, Sartrouville, parts of Bobigny and Saint-Denis
✔️ Affordable rent
❌ High crime (muggings, drug-related issues), especially after dark
Paris Metro Stations Tourists Should Avoid
- Barbès–Rochechouart – Crowded, chaotic, many pickpockets, busy intersection
- Château d’Eau – Quiet, but not tourist-friendly, limited lighting
- Château Rouge – Theft hotspot, aggressive sellers, near markets
- Châtelet – Huge, crowded, theft hotspot, complex transfers
- Gare de l’Est – Risky at night, luggage thefts, watch exits
- Gare de Lyon – Busy, watch your belongings, high foot traffic
- Gare du Nord – Theft, scams, aggressive behavior, large crowds
- Jaurès – Loitering, petty crime, sketchy feel, avoid at night
- La Chapelle – Migrant camps, uneasy at night, confusing layout
- La Courneuve 8 Mai 1945 – Isolated, rough surroundings, far from center
- Line 1 stations – Touristy, lots of pickpockets, especially Concorde
- Mairie d’Aubervilliers – High-crime suburban station, few amenities
- Pantin – Reports of theft and assault, not tourist-oriented
- Porte de Clignancourt – Pickpockets near flea market, dense foot traffic
💡 Tip: Be especially cautious on Metro lines 1, 2, 4, 9, 13, and RER lines A and B — they pass through major tourist areas and are known pickpocket hotspots. Stay alert near doors, keep bags close, and avoid using your phone while boarding or exiting.
My Local Tips
- Marais – One of the top choices for tourists. Stylish, central, and full of life.
- 16th Arrondissement – We live here ourselves! Quiet, elegant, and truly safe.
- Montmartre – Gorgeous and worth visiting, but not ideal for staying overnight due to scams and noise.
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